The Use of Tone in Superman and Me by Sherman Alexie

Sherman Alexie’s short essay "Superman and Me" offers a powerful reflection on the author’s early life and the role of reading in shaping his identity. Throughout the piece, Alexie uses a variety of tones to communicate the challenges, frustrations, and triumphs he experienced growing up as a Native American in a disadvantaged community. The tone in "Superman and Me" shifts from humorous to serious, illustrating how literature not only shaped Alexie’s own life but also served as a tool for empowerment. This essay will explore how Alexie uses tone to convey his personal experiences with reading, his relationship to his culture, and his desire to inspire others in similar situations.

The Humor in "Superman and Me"

One of the most striking features of Alexie’s tone in "Superman and Me" is his use of humor. He begins his essay by describing how he learned to read by reading Superman comics, making the learning process sound fun and adventurous. The humorous tone helps to engage the reader while also illustrating how he, as a young child, found joy and excitement in reading. When he writes, "I learned to read with a Superman comic book," it immediately brings a sense of nostalgia and simplicity, making it relatable to anyone who has fond memories of comic books or childhood learning experiences.

This lighthearted tone is especially effective in communicating Alexie’s positive relationship with books, despite the challenges he faced. The humor here also reflects how reading, for Alexie, wasn’t just about learning to decode words on a page—it was an enjoyable and transformative activity that shaped his world view. The use of humor also serves as a way to highlight how powerful something as simple as a comic book can be, especially for a child in a community that often faced low expectations when it came to education.

The Serious Undertones of Education and Identity

Despite the humorous moments, Alexie quickly shifts to a much more serious tone when discussing the challenges he faced growing up. He uses the essay to make a broader commentary on the systemic issues facing Native American communities, especially in relation to education. The tone becomes more somber when Alexie writes about the expectations placed on him as a young Native American boy. He reflects on how his school teachers and peers expected little of him, and how that was something he needed to fight against.

For instance, when he describes his teacher’s lack of belief in his ability to succeed, the tone is one of frustration and defiance: "They [teachers] were surprised by my knowledge." This serious tone highlights the gap between the expectations placed on Native American children and the reality of their potential. It speaks to a larger issue of racial stereotypes and how Alexie, as a young boy, had to overcome those barriers in order to achieve success. By switching from humorous to serious, Alexie underscores the importance of perseverance and self-belief in overcoming obstacles that are often deeply ingrained in society.

Alexie’s Tone of Empowerment and Inspiration

As the essay progresses, Alexie shifts the tone yet again, this time to one of empowerment and inspiration. He reflects on how reading gave him a sense of agency and helped him navigate a world that often viewed him as inferior. The tone here becomes more optimistic as Alexie emphasizes the importance of education, reading, and learning for not only himself but also for others in his community. By discussing his desire to become a writer and educator, he uses a hopeful tone to express how education can be a pathway to breaking free from the limitations set by society.

When Alexie writes, "I became a writer because I had to," the tone conveys both determination and urgency. This shift in tone emphasizes that his decision to embrace education and literature wasn’t just a personal choice—it was an act of resistance against the negativity and low expectations imposed upon him. It’s clear that Alexie sees education as a tool for empowerment, not just for himself but for other Native American children as well. This message is delivered with a tone that is both inspiring and motivating, encouraging others to embrace their own potential, regardless of the challenges they face.

Conclusion

In "Superman and Me," Sherman Alexie masterfully uses tone to convey his personal journey with reading and education. The humorous tone at the beginning reflects the joy of discovery, while the more serious undertones address the challenges of growing up in a marginalized community. As the essay progresses, Alexie’s tone becomes empowering and inspiring, urging others to embrace education as a means of overcoming adversity. Through his use of tone, Alexie not only shares his own experiences but also challenges readers to reconsider the role of education and literature in shaping identity and empowering individuals to break free from societal constraints.